The photo above by Pete Yeo is of the UK non-native but widely naturalized Sycamore tree (Acer pseudoplatanus), a species that may have been introduced to England as early as the Romans. This tree is hosting moss and other native plants. Sycamores are now known to offer a variety of ecological benefits as with maples generally, a reality that has fostered greater acceptance.
This image also gives a sense of the layered nature of 'vegetal skin' across space and time; canopied mosses can initiate woodland succession from bare ground, whilst maples close gaps in established forest following disturbance. Each act in their own way, yet ultimately together, to keep the land's lifeblood - water - cycling. Might such examples lead us to be more respectful to introduced plants?
Hosted by The Plant Initiative
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Can we view the Earth's vegetation as a self-organising whole rather than as competing plant species? Are there emergent properties and behaviors of plants that we are typically missing? And might these allow us to move beyond notions of good and bad plants?
Join plant writer, nature mentor, reconciliation ecologist, and broadcaster Pete Yeo in an intriguing conversation about plants and the ways in which we perceive and relate to them. The event will be co-moderated by Plant Initiative board members Paul Moss and Laura Pustarfi.
The dominant narrative about plantae non gratae, those unwelcome weeds or invasives, is being increasingly challenged. Such pioneering plants, and the novel ecosystems they help to create, are being positively reframed in the light of a more unified worldview re-emerging through ancient wisdom and the latest science. Othering, even outright war, are slowly giving way to greater appreciation and a desire toward power with, rather than over.
Moreover, if we were to perceive the vegetal realm akin to Gaian 'skin', with its own immune response and healing capabilities across scales - yes, those plantae non gratae - would we not be compelled to further transform our relationship with plants, the land, and the planet? To feel Gaia more? Might we also discern Gaia's evolutionary creativity, instead of vegetal boundaries in space and time? And receive inspiration in challenging times?
Join me for this free interactive program exploring these and other questions!
There will be time for questions from the audience following the discussion. This free program will be livestreamed with a link to be sent to participants before the event and will also be recorded and available for viewing online afterwards.
About Pete Yeo
Plant writer, nature mentor, reconciliation ecologist, and broadcaster Pete Yeo lives on the temperate rainforest-fringed north coast of Devon, UK.
Plants have been an inspiration to Pete since childhood. They led him into mainstream higher education in horticulture, landscape architecture and ecology, before eventually nudging him off-road and into more alternative understandings of the Plant Realm, along with the wider web of Life.
He is honoured to be working with them now as portals to both deeper awareness of our ecological relationships and greater wellbeing within and without. As a freelance reconciliation ecologist and nature mentor he gives talks, guides walks, offers consultancy, writes and broadcasts in this spirit. You can find out more about him at www.futureflora.co.uk.
Particular areas of interest are the climate impacts on floras, novel ecosystems, the reframing of ‘bad/unwelcome’ plants, and holistic perspectives on vegetation (ie, as Gaian tissue). He would welcome collaborative, synergistic enquiries toward the better understanding of our plant allies.
Pertinent broadcasts and articles:
Celebrating Weeds - In Art, Science and the Everyday (Webinar trilogy for The Resurgence Trust, Part Two linked)
Can we allow Planta non-grata to become Planta conviva? (OP for the journal Biodiversity)
Seeing the Wood Through the Trees (Essay for Finding Blake)
A recent interview on Alex Duncan’s Plant Noise podcast.
An Evergreen and Pleasant Land? (Article for The Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity)
There will be time for questions from the audience following the discussion. This free program will be livestreamed on Zoom with a link to be sent to participants before the event and will also be recorded and available for viewing online afterwards.